Master Christopher Ricketts has passed away

Master Christopher "Topher" Ricketts of Bakbakan International passed away this morning after a battle with cancer. He was only 55 years of age. He was one of the founders of Bakbakan, and also one of Tatang Illustrisimo's students, having studied under him along with Tony Diego, Yuli Romo and Edgar Sulite.

He is one of many FMA pioneers that will forever be remembered and missed. Our condolences to his family, friends, and students around the world.

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This is a great loss to the FMA community. Master Ricketts was very talented and well-respected. Although I never had the opportunity to train with him personally, I know he will be missed dearly. We in the Bakbakan community will surely mourn his passing.

my condolences to Topher's family. I have fond memories of being with him, teaching with him..and sharing. He is a great loss for the FMA world.
Ms Sonia and I send our prayers to his family, stude3nts and friends.

This is very sad news! I only met Mr. Ricketts once. I think it was in 1999 when he came thru our area in Tacoma, WA. He did an impromptu seminar for our NSI Modern Arnis group and met with my instructor, Datu Kelly Worden. I remember him as a highly intelligent and warm individual. He will be missed.

my condolences to you and his family. any time we lose someone its a sad time,but also a time to reflect on what is important in life. again my condolences and may god be with you! Soke Grandmaster Keith Kugel

I had many conversations with Mang Toops these last couple years. I will miss him, he was truly a good man and a great eskrimador. To his family, you have my deepest condolences. To his boys who will pass on his legacy, You have my total support . .anything you need, just ask...Mabuhay Ilustrisimo....May Mang Toops rest in peace......

On behalf of my family and the members of the Hufana Traditional Arnis, our condolence to the Ricketts family. It is a sad day as we mourn for the loss of a friend, a leader, innovator, and a brother in FMA. I was fortunate to have befriended him and to have collaborated with him in the past 10 years. GM Topher is irreplaceable and one of a kind. We will miss him dearly. PG Hufana